Macon County Commissioners passed an ordinance amendment meant to deter data centers from setting up shop. The county’s approach is markedly different from what other Western North Carolina local governments have done.
Commissioners voted unanimously during their Aug. 11 meeting to amend the ordinance after hearing from over a dozen residents who overwhelmingly voiced opposition to any such facility operating in their backyard. The comments echoed those heard throughout the country over the last year or so, highlighting the lack of local job creation, strains on infrastructure, environmental concerns and quality-of-life issues.
Later in the meeting, Commission Chair Josh Young mused over the fact that the pushback against data centers seems to be one of the rare issues that galvanizes the community despite any other political differences.
